Thrashers' Kovalchuk Out for Season

Published 8:00 pm, Sunday, March 10, 2002

Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk, the leading goal scorer on his team and among NHL rookies, will miss the rest of the season with a dislocated right shoulder.

But general manager Don Waddell said the 18-year-old left wing should be completely healthy in about two months with no lingering effects.

Kovalchuk, the top pick in last year's draft, fell awkwardly and banged his right shoulder into the boards during Sunday's 6-1 loss to the New York Islanders.

Thrashers coach Curt Fraser said replays showed Kovalchuk fell after accidentally stepping on the puck with his left skate. He collided with Islanders forward Shawn Bates and crashed into the end boards at 3:39 of the second period.

"Ilya went at him," Fraser said. "He couldn't stop himself from falling into the boards."

The Thrashers are already last in the NHL with only 43 points and riding a five-game losing streak in which they have been outscored 22-6. Atlanta has 16 games remaining.

Kovalchuk leads the team and all first-year players with 29 goals. He also ranks second among rookies with 51 points, trailing teammate Dany Heatley by two points.

Neither Waddell nor Fraser had spoken with Kovalchuk since he was hospitalized in Manhattan. They expected him to return to Atlanta on Monday.

"It's really a four- to six-week injury," Waddell said. "But given where we're at, there's no need to try and rush it."

Last summer, Kovalchuk became the first Russian selected No. 1 overall in the NHL draft. He played last month for his native country in the Salt Lake City Olympics, winning a bronze medal.

"He's obviously a very important member of our team, and it's a big blow to our hockey club," Fraser said. "But players get hurt, and you push on. We want to finish the season strong."